Ask the CFI

Ask the Chief Flight Instructor

Do you have a question you wish to ask of our CFI? Something you feel would be beneficial knowledge to share with rest of the student pilot community? We are eager to help.

Please post your question in the comments section below. Our CFI will do his best to answer them.

32 Comments

Kim Nordbye
October 4, 2017 at 10:08 am

Outside of air cadets, do you know of any learn to fly programs for a 12 year old in the Calgary area?

it
August 1, 2016 at 3:09 am

How can I know the price of the courses?

Charles Krause
August 25, 2015 at 12:48 pm

I’m currently a Toronto based student pilot relocating to the Calgary region.

All my training to date (~17 hours) has been in a C172 Skyhawk.

The move will put a “hole” in my training schedule. Between that, and the fact that any new instructor will need to do some evaluation time to figure out where I am, and how to proceed – I’m guessing this will extend my needed training time.

Since I’m looking at extending my training hours *anyway*, I’m wondering if I can change the kind of aircraft I’m training in.

Specifically, I’m wondering can I do *primary* training in the Citrabria Aurora?

I know that some flight schools do primary training in this type of aircraft – and I know that some flight schools require a PPL prior to Citabria training (for insurance purpoes, if nothing else).

Is this a possibility?

Thank you,

tired of buzz jobs
August 14, 2015 at 7:43 pm

Why is your 172 on floats flying at low level over Ghost Lake village again.

Cletas D'Britto
May 17, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Hi I am from Mumbai, India. I am interested in CPL with multi.
And what are the Job options available after doing the same to build my flying hrs?

Spencer
February 25, 2015 at 1:34 pm

Any plans to offer tail dragger/aerobatic training in the future?

DC
March 17, 2015 at 12:27 pm

Same question! There are very few tailwheel aircraft available to rent in the Calgary area, so I for one would definitely be interested.

DC, Spencer, sorry for the late reply but I now have permission to share some very exciting news. The club is currently in the process of bringing a Citabria online. This new addition to the fleet will become the CFC’sTail Wheel and Aerobatic trainer.

DC
March 31, 2015 at 8:23 pm

Great news! When will it be available for rental?

Nick
December 9, 2014 at 3:37 pm

Hi,

I’m just finishing up my PPL and I’m in the high 50s for hours.

Interested in starting to work on my CPL full time.

Roughly how long does it take for a full time student to finish up with all the curriculum, and building hours?

My finances are set, and I would be trying to fly as much as possible all week.

Nick, you should be able to finish up in a few months or less depending on how much you have already completed. Please contact us and schedule a chat with one of our instructors to discuss your goals and they can surely help you achieve them.

BsD
December 5, 2014 at 9:07 am

Is student financial support available for training?

With no experience what are the employment possibilities straight from receiving my license(s)?

The CFC does not directly provide any financial services, however one of our club members has created an aviation financial services company. Check them out at http://www.studentaviationfinancial.ca/

Now, as for getting a job as a pilot immediately after receiving your license, that completely depends on the market. We speak to this in more detail in our FAQ section.

CFI
October 15, 2014 at 5:36 pm

Hey Ian, after 5 years you need to get up to flight test standards and we put you on a specific course. Below that we try and tailor the training more to your needs. If you want to rent our airplanes we do 2 flights (minimum) to confirm you are safe to fly. If you have been studying and know what you are doing, it will only take those two flights. If you need more time to be safe, that is what it takes.

Ian
October 13, 2014 at 10:45 am

I currently hold a PPL with 275-ish hours, but I haven’t flown in almost 4 years. Roughly, how many hours would it take for me to get current again? My CARs are a bit rusty.

Hey Ian, after 5 years you need to get up to flight test standards and we put you on a specific course. Below that we try and tailor the training more to your needs. If you want to rent our airplanes we do 2 flights (minimum) to confirm you are safe to fly. If you have been studying and know what you are doing, it will only take those two flights. If you need more time to be safe, that is what it takes.

glen
August 16, 2014 at 12:10 pm

Are the any CFI’s at CFC who will train in a student owned certified aircraft?

Glen, we most certainly have instructors that can train you in your own aircraft. For additional information, please call in and speak to one of our dispatchers to discuss your aircraft and training needs.

Jake
August 11, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Hey, i was wondering if you guys do ground school and when the next start date for that is?

Jake, we most certainly do ground schools, not only for private license, but for commercial license, mountain flying, night flying, and more.

The cost for the Private License ground school is $400+GST, which gives you 12 months worth of PPL Ground School attendance. This way you can start any time, or if you miss a class you can pick it up at a later date.

We are currently midway through the PPL Ground School curriculum running from July 14th – Sept. 15th. The course will be starting over again on September 22nd. This information will be added to our online Calendar shortly.

Tim Dureault
June 26, 2014 at 2:31 am

Hi, can u tell me what is the difference in price, hours and use between a private pilots licence and a recreational pilots licence? I’m wondering which would be best for me out of these 2 options. Sorry if this is a newbie question, as i am a newbie ;) Thanks

CFC Web Admin
June 26, 2014 at 5:26 pm

The private pilot license is approximately $9000. This includes 45 hours of flight training and 17 hours of dual time. You also have to complete 40 hours of Ground School training.

The recreational license is only 25 hours and no ground school is required, however there are limitations. You can only take up one passenger, limited to daytime flying only, cannot cross into the US, and limited on the size of airplane you can fly.

Additional information can be found in the Permits, Licenses, and Ratings section on The School page.

Anderson
April 24, 2014 at 2:06 am

Want to take the CPL ground school, when does it start, do you take students who did online ground school

CFC Web Admin
April 25, 2014 at 9:46 am

Anderson,

We do not have a set date for our next commercial ground school at this time. Keep an eye on our Calendar for the next scheduled date, as well as our Twitter or Facebook for notice of this event.

Online ground school training is sufficient as long as it completes the requirements of Transport Canada, ie. an approved Flight Training Unit. PilotTraining.ca is one such FTU that can provide the online training. This training would cover your ground school hours and you can then complete all of the air training at CFC.

Jay
April 22, 2014 at 10:43 pm

Do you have a DFTE on staff for IFR or instructor rating upgrades?

CFC Web Admin
April 25, 2014 at 1:36 pm

We do not have a Designated Flight Test Examiner on staff, however there are a few on the field that we bring in when we have flight tests.

Maxim
April 12, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Hi,
Would I be able to complete a PSTAR at the Calgary flying club for a student pilot permit? Do you provide training for the student pilot permit?

Thank you

CFC Web Admin
April 25, 2014 at 1:46 pm

You can write the PSTAR at CFC, you can come in anytime we are open. Click HERE to download the study guide made available from Transport Canada, or check out our Files and Forms section for this and other reference material.

Martin
February 5, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Do you provide training for recreational pilot license (qas I do not see that as an option on your website)?

CFC Web Admin
February 9, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Thanks for the question Martin.

Yes we do provide training for recreational pilot licensing. The hour requirements are lower at minimum of 25 hours. 15 hours must be with an instructor including minimum 2 hours cross country. You must also complete a minimum of 5 solo flight hours. There is no ground school requirement, however there is a Transport Canada written exam that must be completed with a mark of 60% or greater.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us and speak directly to one of our friendly dispatchers.

Evan Nadeau
May 13, 2013 at 11:47 am

Can you please explain why the runway numbers needed to be changed?

CFC Web Admin
May 13, 2013 at 11:58 am

This was explained at the Current Construction page from the SpringBank Airport.

Due to magnetic variation, Springbank Airport runway identifiers will be changing. As a result of this change, both runway signage as well as number paint will have to be changed on the airfield. Construction associated with this work will begin in April 2013 and be completed in May 2013. Effective May 2 the Canadian Air Pilot publication as well as the Canada Flight Supplement will reflect the changed designators. The changes are as follows: Runways 16 and 34 will become 17 and 35, Runways 07 and 25 to become 08 and 26. Until the project is complete some signage may not reflect the new designators.